2022 Jeep Compass vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 BMW X5 was a testament to BMW's renowned craftsmanship, fitting seamlessly into the brand's SUV lineup. Its design, from the iconic kidney grille to the body shape, was unmistakably BMW, offering a sense of familiarity and luxury. The X5's exterior featured full adaptive LED headlights and a choice between xLine and M Sport styling, with the latter providing a sportier appearance through body-colour matched trim and high-gloss black accents. Inside, the X5 maintained the brand's signature interior design, with a mix of leather and soft-touch materials, although the abundance of black plastic was prone to collecting dust. The M Sport models added unique styling elements, enhancing the sporty feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Compass, despite its exterior updates, retained a familiar look reminiscent of a smaller Grand Cherokee. The Trailhawk Elite specification elevated its premium appeal with 19-inch multi-spoke wheels and a sophisticated interior. The cabin featured a new dashboard design, luxury-grade leather seats, and enhanced sound deadening, contributing to a more refined atmosphere. The Compass lineup offered various trims, with the Trailhawk Elite being the most expensive, showcasing features like a new infotainment system and improved materials. The Compass's design updates and interior enhancements made it a more convincing premium SUV option.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered a range of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base xDrive40i model featured a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine producing 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque, with all-wheel drive as standard. The X5 M50i boasted a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine delivering 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the X5 M reached 600 hp, increasing to 617 hp with the Competition Package. The new xDrive45e plug-in hybrid model combined a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine with a 24-kilowatt-hour battery, achieving 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, and offering up to 50 kilometres of all-electric range. Despite its power, the X5's steering and handling dynamics were less engaging than expected, with a Lincoln-like feel at higher speeds. The X5's fuel efficiency varied, with the xDrive45e rated at 4.7 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres when using electricity and gas.

The 2022 Jeep Compass was equipped with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder "Tigershark" engine, producing 177 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, the engine lacked the power and refinement of its competitors, often feeling sluggish and noisy. The Compass's drivetrain was characterized by a busy and unrewarding powertrain character, with a slow automatic stop/start system and a reluctance to downshift. The Jeep Selec-Terrain system offered different driving modes, and the Compass Trailhawk Elite featured a more capable AWD system for off-roading. Despite its shortcomings, the Compass averaged 9.9 L/100 km in combined driving, slightly above the expected 9.5 L/100 km.

The 2021 BMW X5 made efficient use of space, with well-placed cupholders and a wireless phone charging pad. The seating was comfortable for short trips, though the front seats could feel hard after extended periods. The rear seats accommodated two adults comfortably, with an optional third row available. The X5's split liftgate and vehicle height adjustment button facilitated easy loading of cargo, though the doors did not open very wide, making it challenging to move children and cargo in and out of the second row. The xDrive45e model offered slightly less cargo space than the traditional X5, but the difference was negligible for most buyers.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, positioned among smaller compact SUVs, provided enough space for four adults and their luggage. The Trailhawk Elite trim enhanced its premium feel with 12-way power-adjustable front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof. The redesigned dashboard and Uconnect 5 infotainment system improved the interior's perceived quality. The Compass offered 770 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 1,693 litres with the seats folded down, surpassing the cargo capacity of the more expensive Cherokee model.

The 2021 BMW X5 featured a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the Apple CarPlay system had connectivity issues, often taking over musical operations unexpectedly. The standard features included a digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, and various connectivity options. Buyers could upgrade to a head-up display, a premium audio system, and additional comfort features. The iDrive system required some acclimatization but was user-friendly once familiar.

The 2022 Jeep Compass introduced the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was faster and more responsive than its predecessor. An 8.4-inch touchscreen was standard, with a 10.1-inch option available. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth pairing for two devices. Additional features included a navigation system, a WiFi hotspot, and a premium sound system. The voice recognition system was generally accurate, though it struggled with specific requests. Overall, Uconnect 5 was impressive but not as intuitive as the best systems in the industry.

The 2021 BMW X5 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety and driver assistance features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. However, the Driving Assistance Professional Package had issues with lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control, particularly in bright sunlight or light rain. The X5 received nearly all Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, despite being subject to seven recalls.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features, with forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring available from the Trailhawk grade. The Compass was set to receive Highway Assist later in the model year, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assistance. The existing systems generally worked well, though the lane-keep assist was overly insistent at lower speeds. The forward-collision warning system occasionally produced false positives. As of the review, the Compass had not received updated crash test results, but the NHTSA carried over the previous three-star rollover resistance rating.